KINGSPORT - The Eastern Coal Council is sponsoring its 28th annual conference and exposition, "Coal: Providing American Energy Security," May 21 and 22 at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center. This year's meeting will highlight clean coal technologies and opportunities for new markets, carbon capture and storage, coal to liquids, direct carbon fuel cell that converts the chemical energy in coal into electricity without the need for gasification, and more. U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, will headline the event. He is chairman of the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Conference attendees will hear the latest on the federal and state levels regarding legislation to regulate the industry. For more information call (276) 964-6363 or e-mail ECC@Netscope.Net, or visit easterncoalcouncil.org.

KINGSPORT - The Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship and First Community Bank will hold the A.M. NewsHour at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, at Kaffe Blue, 210 Broad St., in downtown Kingsport. The topic will be "Small Business Opportunities Related to the Hope VI Revitalization Project." Cornerstone Housing, the developer-partner for the Hope VI (Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere) Project and the Kingsport Housing & Redevelopment Authority have awarded the architectural contract for the revitalization of the Riverview public housing development to a joint venture - CainRashWest Architects of Kingsport and Martella Associates of St. Michaels, MD. Wednesday's discussion will include information about how small businesses can get involved in the $11.9 million project. A complimentary continental breakfast will be provided. For more information, call (423) 392-8811.

KINGSPORT - The 2007 Tennessee Valley Corridor National Summit will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, May 29 and 30, at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center. Confirmed speakers include U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander and U.S. Reps. David Davis, Zach Wamp and Lincoln Davis. Other speakers will include Cynthia Glassman, undersecretary for Economic Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce; Anne Pope, federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission; Tom Kilgore, president and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority; Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr., president of East Tennessee State University; and David Millhorn, executive vice president of the University of Tennessee. This year's summit, titled "New Corridor Solutions for America's Biggest Challenges," will focus on topics such as health care solutions, energy security, education, maintaining the region's technical work force and homeland security. The summit is the 17th in a series of such events that have strategically linked the Tennessee Valley Corridor from North Alabama through Tennessee into Southwest Virginia and Southern and Eastern Kentucky. For more information or registration, visit www.tennvalleycorridor.org.

KINGSPORT - Local Edward Jones financial advisors will host a broadcast titled "Pass-through Entities - Planning Strategies and Current Issues" at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 23. The broadcast is designed for attorneys, certified public accountants and tax professionals. It includes a review of the issues that many tax practitioners confront when advising their S corporation, partnership and multiple-member limited liability company owners. Topics will include self-employment tax issues for pass-through entity business owners; issues related to converting a C corporation to an S corporation; how income, expenses, gains and losses impact shareholders' basis; how to determine reasonable compensation; organizational issues of operating in a state other than your formation state; and how to minimize income taxes due on the repayment of reduced-basis loans to shareholders. The course is approved for three credit hours of continuing professional education for CPAs and tax professionals, and continuing legal education for attorneys. The enrollment fee is $60 and includes all course materials. Reservations are required. For more information or to register, call (423) 378-5678.

KINGSPORT - The Pinnacle Club of Mountain States Health Alliance has scheduled a Dutch-treat lunch at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, at the Golden Corral on Eastman Road. Dr. Melanie R. Davidson of Heart and Vascular Associates will be the speaker. Registration is required. Call The Health Professionals at (800) 888-5551 and press 4 to register or for more information. Sponsored by MSHA, the Pinnacle Club is a membership program for people 50 and older. Pinnacle Club members enjoy numerous benefits that include annual blood work, health screenings and seminars, exercise classes, educational and social programs, travel opportunities and other discounts. The annual membership fee is $15 per person or $25 for two individuals at the same address. For more information or to join the Pinnacle Club, call Sharon Cameron at (423) 431-1312.

JOHNSON CITY - The Johnson City Development Authority will hold the Main Street Business Success Seminar Series for 2007, beginning Tuesday, May 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the JCDA office, 207 Main St., Suite 1B. Titled "Financial Opportunities for Downtown Businesses," the seminar will be led by Bob Justice, regional director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, and Ken Rea, director of economic and community development with First Tennessee Development District. For more information or to register, contact the JCDA at (423) 928-2988.

BLOUNTVILLE - Northeast State Technical Community College is offering a preparatory for the home inspection licensing examination in June. Classes in the home inspection training program will meet from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 18 through 24; from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 29; and from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 30 and July 1. Students will learn the skills needed to perform home inspections and prepare for the state examination, based on the regulations that went into effect in July 2006. Students who successfully pass the test and obtain the home inspection license will be qualified to operate their own state-licensed home inspection business or to upgrade a current business. Course highlights will include tools, techniques, systems and fundamentals for roofs, exteriors, and foundations; structural problems; and business startup. Participants will make up to seven on-site home inspections and take a mock state examination to help them prepare for the actual test. The course will meet at the college's main campus, 2425 Highway 75, adjacent to Tri-Cities Regional Airport. The fee is $1,995 and includes all program materials. To register, call (423) 323-0222 or e-mail Roberta Dugger at rpdugger@northeaststate.edu.

JOHNSON CITY - The Tennessee Small Business Development Center at East Tennessee State University is offering several training opportunities in May for small businesses. "So You Want to Start a Business" is a three-hour class designed to address many of the questions that potential entrepreneurs have in the initial research stages of getting their businesses started. Part of the class is aimed at what it takes to be a successful business owner; part of the class is aimed at the business idea itself. Participants will examine the lifestyle changes and leadership challenges that many business owners face, such as working 12 to 16 hours a day, being able to get individual health insurance, addressing conflict, handling rejection, and making decisions. The loan process and sources of funding will also be discussed. The class will be taught from 6 to 9 p.m. May 22 at the Holston Business Development Center in Kingsport, and from 1 to 4 p.m. May 22 in Johnson City. A new class, "Managing Cash Flow," is being held to help business owners create an operating budget that anticipates monthly expenses. The two-hour class will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. May 23 in Johnson City. To register for classes, contact Teresa Blair at (423) 439-8505 or blairt@mail.tsbdc.org. Unless otherwise stated, training will be held at the ETSU Innovation Laboratory at 2109 W. Market St. in Johnson City.

KINGSPORT - The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce will hold an after hours at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 31, at the chamber building, 151 East Main St. The event will kick off the downtown concert series. The after hours will be hosted by the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, the Kingsport Convention & Visitors Bureau, the city of Kingsport and 12 Bones. For more information, call the chamber at (423) 392-8800.

KINGSPORT - The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce will hold member receptions at 7:30 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 7, at the chamber of commerce building board room, 151 E. Main St., in downtown Kingsport. Attendees will hear about the chamber's programs and mission to promote the economic progress of its members and the community. To register, call (423) 392-8804. Please mention which session you will attend. Refreshments will be provided. The chamber will hold additional sessions at a later date for those unable to attend the June 7 events.

KINGSPORT - ENCORE, the senior leadership program of Leadership Kingsport, is now accepting applications for the class of 2007. ENCORE, in its third year, is a two-month program designed to bring together a diverse group of people from the community who are age 50 or older. The program is also open to those new to the area who have an interest in learning more about the many aspects of Kingsport. The goal is to promote interaction among the participants and community representatives through education and training experiences that broaden their understanding and perspective. Applications may be picked up at the chamber of commerce, 151 East Main St., and must be returned by Monday, July 2. Program days will be Tuesdays in September and October and tuition is $125. For more information, contact the Leadership Kingsport office at (423) 392-8816.